Are abilities innate talents that can’t be changed, or can our efforts influence our success? If you agree with the latter, then you are likely familiar with the concept of a growth mindset, championed by Stanford professor Carol Dweck.
The nature of work is constantly evolving, and employees are eager to learn new skills or further develop existing skills. You can foster a growth mindset when it comes to learning by adopting these strategies:
1. Reframe challenges as learning opportunities:
Reflect on a recent challenge you faced at work, such as feeling unprepared to overcome objections raised in a customer meeting. What steps can you take to develop your skills in preparation for your next meeting?
2. Recognize that mastery is iterative:
Mastering any skill requires persistent effort. Some of that effort will result in wins and some will result in failures. Identify what specific steps you can take to master the skills you are working toward. Those steps can include taking online learning courses, seeking guidance from a coach or mentor, reading relevant works or taking on projects that stretch your abilities.
Legendary basketball player Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Jordan’s success is intricately tied to his ability to learn and grow from his failures.
USLI University offers multiple opportunities to learn new skills and sharpen existing ones. Whether you are focusing on insurance, sales, leadership or power skills, we have training resources available to help you succeed in an ever-changing environment. Explore our offerings to get started.
